HC Deb 18 March 1986 vol 94 c101W
Sir Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Tamils at present in the United Kingdom are still awaiting process of their applications for asylum; how many have been granted permission to stay to date; how many have been returned; and how many applications have been received from Tamils following the imposition of a visa requirement on 30 May 1985.

Mr. Waddington

Precise figures are not available, but it is estimated that applications for asylum from about 1,250 Sri Lankan citizens, most if not all of whom are likely to be Tamils, are outstanding. In 1985 two Sri Lankan Tamils were granted asylum and about 900 were given leave to enter or remain on an exceptional basis. Only one Tamil whose application was refused has been removed to Sri Lanka, although at least 40 have returned voluntarily; others have been returned to third countries. Since 30 May 1985 about 270 Sri Lankan citizens in this country have applied for asylum.

Offences currently* recorded as homicide by relationship of victim to principal suspect and sex of victim England and Wales
Relationship Sex of victim Number of offences
1982 1983 1984
Victim acquainted with suspect
Son or daughter Male 27 34 33
Female 34 23 34
Parent Male 12 12 11
Female 10 10 15
Spouse, cohabitant or former spouse or cohabitant Male 13 16 14
Female 102 87 97
Other family Male 13 12 10
Female 6 10 3
Lover or former lover† Male 11 11 13
Female 18 9 6
Friend or acquaintance Male 106 78 131
Female 43 42 46
Other associate Male 13 12 12
Female 4 2 8
Victim not acquainted with suspect
Police officer of prison officer on duty‡║¶ Male 5 2 2
Female 1 1 1
Stranger (acts of terrorism)‡¶ Male 11 2 3
Female 1 3
Other stranger Male 61 60 55
Female 18 18 16
No suspect¶• Male 25 16 35
Female 22 25 15
Total Male 297 255 319
Female 258 228 244
* As at 1 June 1985; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available.
† Includes spouse's lover or lover's spouse or other associate.
‡ Includes cases where no suspect has been charged.
║ All victims shown in the period covered by the table were police officers.
¶ Until a case is cleared up, the relationship is not classified, except where the victim was a police or prison officer on duty or where the offence was attributed to an act of terrorism.
• Excluding homicides of police or prison officer and those attributed to terrorism.